PROVO -- As it struggles to progress without losing its heritage, the Navajo Nation needs young people to focus on education, nation President Kelsey Begaye told a gathering of Navajo students at Brigham Young University on Tuesday.
Begaye, elected president last November, made his first trip to BYU to counsel Navajo students about how they can prepare to make the most effective contribution to their tribe. Student leaders said Begaye solicited the opportunity to speak at the school."I want to encourage (you) to continue the hard work you're doing in the area of education," Begaye said. "My message to the Navajo people is that we need strong individuals."
Begaye told students he regretted not having sought formal education beyond high school. At 19, he entered the U.S. Army and eventually ended up a radio operator in the Vietnam War. When he returned, Begaye was addicted to drugs and his life was headed nowhere.
"I was a mess," he said.
But, the Navajo president said, he relied on the strength of family to straighten himself out. He became involved in local politics and progressed through the ranks of Navajo leadership. Now, he wants all Navajos to remember not only who they are but become who they want to be.
"I believe that if you put your mind to something you want to be or, better yet, put your heart to it, you can be anybody you want to be," he said.
Begaye's visit to BYU was scheduled for Monday but was postponed because he was tied up in meetings in Salt Lake City. Begaye's schedule included meetings with notable Utahns Jon Huntsman and Stephen R. Covey. He planned to meet with Gov. Mike Leavitt Wednesday.
The BYU students performed several musical numbers for the president and presented him with a gift. Begaye and many of the students became emotional when he talked about the 19th century forced removal of Navajos from the land they considered sacred. After four years confined to a New Mexico fort, the Navajos were allowed to return to their own land.
"Personally, I think (Begaye's visit) was awesome," said student Shane Begay, who is not related to the president. "It reminds you of home and why you're here at school."
Begaye said the nation, headquartered at Window Rock, Ariz., is close to signing an agreement with several Phoenix companies to locate branch operations on the reservation. Begaye has met with state government officials around the West and even in Russia to discuss business opportunities.
In addition, he said, the nation is considering the creation of several new agencies that would resemble the U.S. departments of Energy and Housing and Urban Development, as well as a third that would focus on science, research and technology.
"Why are we doing this? It's all for you," he told students.
He advised BYU students that they should be prepared to make a contribution to their people's welfare as soon as possible. The average age among his top-level staffers is about 30, and his press secretary is a 24-year-old, recent BYU graduate, the president said.